Our Statement

When we design for children, we design for the future. 

Currently our perspective in decision-making is often too narrow and the time scale too short.

Children are often left out as a marginal group. However, the World Bank estimates that over 25% of the global population are children. Excluding children from our thinking is a systemic bias which we need to overcome. Children should be one of our key stakeholders. 

Without children there is no future for humanity. Childhood experiences have an impact on children which translates into long term effects on the population, society, culture, innovations, and the future. Children born in 2020's will be the future parents, experts and leaders in 2050's and onward. The legacy that is built today will open possibilities for the next generations.

Children use daily a wide range of the services and products, and are affected by policies which are not designed considering the needs or rights of the child. Children also face the indirect effects when others around them are using services and products that do not include children's perspective by default.  To ensure the wellbeing of children, it is especially important to ensure the best interest of the child in all decisions.  “The best interest of the child is a dynamic concept that requires an assessment appropriate to the specific context.” (U.N. GC No.25).

In the D4CR guide we have put into words what is in the best interest of the child, and represent our collective responsibility to respect the children’s needs and perspectives.